Tripletime

I thought this might be a good place to ask some advice on buying graduation gifts for my son's friends. My son is a high school senior and has a couple of friends who have essentially been a part of the family since he was in kinder. My wife and I have always given family/friends money when they graduate high school but would like to get something a little more personal for these young men. They will be going off to college at UT and A&M. We are a middle class family and have usually given in the $50-$100 range depending on circumstances, however, we are looking to spend $200-$250 this time. Any suggestions from college students? Is there any gift that you're grateful you received or anything you wish you had? We were thinking maybe some noise cancelling head phones to help study but are not sure. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

broken_symlink

I think the best thing I ever received as a graduation present was an american express gift card. I really appreciated being able to use it on whatever I wanted at the time.

ladeeda6

$200 cash.
That's a great gift and they can spend it on whatever.

MD Mom

For young men, there are these flat leather things that hold an ID or credit card and nothing else. You could stuff it with whatever you want and they can keep the credit card holder, which works great to stuff in a front pocket with their college ID and some cash or a credit card.

i_wanna_be_Brown

^the thin wallet is nice, i got that from someone as a college graduation gift.

I would also recommend a memory foam mattress pad. It is a graduation gift I received when I graduated high school and it's not something a high school boy is going to ask for and yet it made my bed at college more comfortable than my bed at home (a rarity) and I was so happy it was purchased for me.

The second best gift I got was a small TV.

mrpenguin

A memory foam mattress is nice, but I know some college friends that sleep through their alarm as a result.

The Clocky alarm clock might be a good gift (although kind of pricey for an alarm clock) if you have a student who has trouble getting up in the mornings. Plus, it will offset the effects of the memory foam mattress should you choose to buy one.

Karr271

For guys, you can't go wrong with a nice watch, assuming they wear one.

MaterMia

My hubby and son use a flat gold credit card holder. Holds ID, credit card or two and some cash. Front pocket works too. Could do that and put $100 bill with it. Even engrave it.

I also bought some of my s's friends cuff links from the school they were going to - these seemed to be a big hit. Something they didn't have - but can use.

MaterMia

This is something like I'm talking about, but not exactly - added benefit of this one is the anti theft piece.

The Stainless Steel ID Case

Fairfielder

I gave my daughter a certificate for a flying lesson when she graduated from high school. Not only did this give her a unique perspective on our rural countryside, it has sparked an interest in taking flying lessons and potentially getting her pilot's license after college.

I don't know what the cost would be in a larger urban area, but in the midwest this one-hour lesson cost $105, mostly for the cost of the plane. Actually the flying instructor is a friend so he gave his time for free, but even considering the billable time of the pilot, it shouldn't cost more than $200, and you can bet this is one gift they won't want to return.

ChadVene

I actually didn't know parents gave graduation gifts, but I got a nice watch when I graduated. Also swiss army knives, or a Kindle might be nice.

crs1909

I got mostly money/checks in the $50-100 range. Personalized gifts I got: a pair of Saucony shoes (wear Sauconies almost exclusively and they knew my size because I took my shoes off whenever I was at their house), a year of xbox live because I always played with their son and a black w/ gold fleece logo Brooks Brothers shirt because I'm kinda preppy and I was headed to Vandy. I'd only go with personalized gifts if you really know the kid, otherwise I'd just go with the tried and true cash.

beolein

I little tool kit is great to have around the dorm, then the apartment, then the wife's car trunk.

JordanS

I think headphones would be great but it wouldn't hurt to either ask them what they want or your son what he thinks they might want. Think about going to college - what do they need? It can be overwhelming trying to think of what to get but maybe some apparel from the colleges they are going to or other dorm-like presents. Good luck!

keabie18

This may be a stretch, but you could get them a short trip somewhere to take together (with your son) over the summer, like to a coveted concert or something.